What a day. What a thrill. What history! A couple of thousand miles away from the U.S. Capitol, I watched every image and listened to every word surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Senator Dianne Feinstein did an outstanding job of managing the "proceedings." Her welcoming remarks were short, sweet, and yet so right. The United States Marine Band … [Read more...] about A Magnificent Inaugural Address, A Most Sacred Oath of Office
Well Done, Mr. President, but Something was Missing
President Obama has delivered an inspiring and soaring inauguaral address to the people of the nation. Not since Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy have we had a commander in chief with similar gifts to deliver a speech and inspire a crowd. Indeed as I watched his remarks I was reminded of both Reagan in 1981 and Kennedy in 1961 with regard to language and theme. For … [Read more...] about Well Done, Mr. President, but Something was Missing
Moving Day at the White House
While we have been watching this extraordinary Presidential Inauguration, with over a million people crammed into the National Mall and many millions more watching and listening on televisions and radios (and computers and cell phones), something else amazing is happening at the White House itself. It's moving day: President Bush and his wife, Laura, will wake up at … [Read more...] about Moving Day at the White House
43, Not 44, Have Taken Oath of Office
President Obama said: "Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath." Actually, I think it's 43, since Grover Cleveland's non-consecutive terms resulted in him being counted as Presidents 22 and 24. Other than that: An excellent speech, as always. I further suspect the error in presidential counting will be forgiven and these will be the words most cited … [Read more...] about 43, Not 44, Have Taken Oath of Office
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Well, it has happened - what seemed only the stuff of movies has become reality: we have an African-American president. As President Obama said, it was only six decades ago that his father would not have been served at a DC restaurant, and today, his son took the oath of office and rose to the highest position in the land. It measures what kind of country we are that an … [Read more...] about Lift Every Voice and Sing
H., Childish Things, and Eleanor Roosevelt
Barack Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. I wanted to share poignant images and sounds of his swearing-in ceremony: Before the speech: 1) Introduced as Barack H. Obama but took the oath of office with his middle name. 2) Rick Warren's prayer was good but was way too long. 3) The John Williams arrangement, "Air and Simple Gifts", was "Appalachian … [Read more...] about H., Childish Things, and Eleanor Roosevelt
Most Americans Want The New President To Succeed
With some exceptions -- including this notable (and predictable) one. … [Read more...] about Most Americans Want The New President To Succeed
Selected Inauguration Day Headlines from Around the World – January 20, 2009
As the 44th President of the United States takes up the reigns of power, the people of this project will be working around the clock to bring you front pages and reactions from newspapers around the world. These are some of the first headlines for this day posted on WORLDMEETS.US: Here are some more examples: … [Read more...] about Selected Inauguration Day Headlines from Around the World – January 20, 2009
The Official Text of Barack H. Obama’s Inaugural Address
Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address as run on the Los Angeles Times: My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown … [Read more...] about The Official Text of Barack H. Obama’s Inaugural Address
President Barack Obama
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about President Barack Obama
How Did They Flub That ?? (UPDATED)
The United States Of America becomes the first major nation to inagurate an African American as it's leader and the moment is incredibly historic. Amazingly though somehow both the President and The Chief Justice managed to flub their lines a little (Obama starting early, Roberts and Obama getting some of the language wrong). I know its a moment of nerves, but the most … [Read more...] about How Did They Flub That ?? (UPDATED)
Inaugural Address Confidence Game
The very word cuts both ways--meaning true trust and also deception, as in "confidence game." But the added layer of irony for Barack Obama's Inaugural Address is that, in an environment of potential panic, confidence is a key to getting America back on track. Whatever he says after taking the oath today will in itself be as crucial, as real in its impact, as the stimulus … [Read more...] about Inaugural Address Confidence Game
Bugle Call
I can't forget the scene in the aftermath of Sept. 11 where President Bush learned the second plane had hit the World Trade Center. He was on television, seated in a classroom, speaking to very young schoolchildren. An advisor entered the picture and whispered the news in the President's ear. He looked stunned. After a second, he turned back to the children and continued … [Read more...] about Bugle Call
Quote Of The Day: Obama Writes The Post-Partisan Playbook
Our Quote of the Day comes from centrist writer John Avlon, who worked for then-President Bill Clinton and during 911 was working for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He notes how some are puzzled by how Barack Obama has been doing political business...as a centrist...trying to unify the country and indicating that respecting and reaching out to opponents isn't a sign of … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Obama Writes The Post-Partisan Playbook
Moving Beyond the ‘Great Disruption’
David Brooks expresses reserved hope that Obama's presidency could be the end of the "Great Disruption," echoing themes penned by Andrew Sullivan more than a year ago. The following contrast in Brooks' column rings particularly true. He notes first that, in the late 1960s and beyond, "Republicans tended to win elections because liberals were associated with disorder and … [Read more...] about Moving Beyond the ‘Great Disruption’
From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation (Guest Voice)
Today is a day to ponder courage and hope. In this Guest Voice post, journalism professor and author Walter Brasch offers some specifics to ponder. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV and its writers. From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation by Walter Brasch The people are good at anointing who they … [Read more...] about From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation (Guest Voice)
Obama And The One Year Rule
When Bill Clinton became President in 1993 the outgoing President George Bush announced to the media that he was adopting what might be termed the one year rule. Bush stated that as a former President he would follow a self imposed ban on any public comments regarding President Clinton for the first year of his administration. While unfortunately this example was not … [Read more...] about Obama And The One Year Rule
Inauguration Crowd
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Inauguration Crowd
Mountaintop
UPDATED: Today’s Barack Obama Inauguration Schedule With Times
Yesterday we ran a schedule for today's inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Here's an updated schedule: » 8:25 a.m.: Obamas leave Blair House for prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church » 8:35 a.m.: Prayer service … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Today’s Barack Obama Inauguration Schedule With Times